Yakuza 1&2 HD Edition, initially launched on PlayStation 3 in Japan last year, is coming to Wii U, Sega announced during today’s Japanese Nintendo Direct.

The game, called Yakuza 1&2 HD for Wii U, will feature off-screen GamePad play and other Wii U-specific features. It will launch on August 8 in Japan for 5,229 yen at retail and 4,700 yen via the Nintendo eShop.

Yakuza 1&2 HD for Wii U was not announced during the Sega portion of today’s North American and European Nintendo Directs. Which means localization is either not happening, or not yet decided.

I don’t know how much the rest of you know about Japanese culture (I’m
an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It’s not like it
is in America where you can become successful by being an a******. If
you screw someone over in Japan, you bring shame to yourself, and the
only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.

What this means
is the Japanese public, after hearing about this, is not going to want
to purchase Yakuza 1&2 HD, nor will they purchase any of Sega’s games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but Sega has alienated an entire
market with this move.

Sega, publicly apologize and cancel Yakuza 1&2 HD WiiU or you can kiss your business goodbye.

Square just shot themselves in the foot.
I don’t know how much the rest of you know about Japanese culture (I’m an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It’s not like it is in America where you can become successful by being an asshole. If you screw someone over in Japan, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.

What this means is the japanese public, after hearing about this, is not going to want to purchase FFXIII for either system, nor will they purchase any of Square’s games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but Square has alienated an entire market with this move.

Square, publicly apologize and cancel FFXIII for 360 or you can kiss your business goodbye.

PrinceHeir

LMAO

Budgiecat

Why spoil the joke…

HeatPhoenix

Duuuude.

Locksus

Eh, I don’t get it. How is this related to anything?

https://www.teepublic.com/user/ECM ECM

Are you deranged? Not only was it released on PS3 already, but your ‘argument’ is non-existent and amounts to a series of logical fallacies that basically culminate in: “trust me, I’m a random Internet goober that is freaked out that Nintendo is getting a former Sony platform exclusive, so that means everyone is doomed, DOOMED I SAY…(except Sony).”

Ni ~Algidus~

LOL people still use that meme?

マッシュー

Did not see this coming.. Wow.

Al Buns

Wow big news for the Wii U

DarthBrian

Wait. The Wii-U is an HD console? :p

Budgiecat

nah I think it’s like an expansion for the Wii so the soccer moms can excercise with it still while the kids can play on the tablet…

Lance Buxley

A port of a port of PS2 games. lol Nintendo stealing ‘dem MAJOR XCLUSIVES!

Al Buns

LOL …right big announcement indeed

https://www.teepublic.com/user/ECM ECM

The big news, as you well know, is that Sony has lost exclusivity on a franchise that has never seen the light of day on any other platform.

Watahashi

Semi incorrect. You could get the Kiryu, Majima, Akiyama, and Ryuji DLC on the Japanese XBox 360 version of Binary Domain. So this isn’t the first time the characters have been on a different console.

Elvick

What’s sad about this to me, is that I guess we can kiss Yakuza HD Collection localization hopes good bye. If they didn’t mention it here, then what hopes do we have? Now it’s on two platforms they could sell it on, and nothing.

*sigh*

https://www.teepublic.com/user/ECM ECM

Uh, I would think that on a software-bereft platform like U, the odds of getting this would go *up*, not down, but maybe I’m missing something.

Elvick

But would we get the PS3 version then? ie; the one system that has every other Yakuza?

I don’t give a shit about it on Wii U. I want it on PS3.

And Sega is too idiotic these days to localize a Wii U and PS3 game like Yakuza HD. Even though being on two platforms, would in theory, provide more chances for sales.

http://insanechronos.tumblr.com/ InsaneChronos

Desperate Sega is desperate.

TalesOfBS

Namco will be releasing soon 2 Tales titles which were exclusive to Nintendo platforms as an Hd collection for the PS3. Does that make them desperate? No.

Since the Wii U suffers from lack of games, I hope Nintendo will now take the initiative and release those games in the west too.

http://insanechronos.tumblr.com/ InsaneChronos

Tales of Symphonia is not Nintendo exclusive. And Sega is in more bad financial shape than Namco. So you can’t compare Namco to Sega.

TalesOfBS

ToS1 is in the west. ToS2 globally.

Raiyu

Well this is weird

Carlos Luis Ayala

well there goes the Playstation exclusivity :X

Paul Rodriguez

I’m surprised this is coming to Wii U. I would have thought it be on PS3.

http://gematsu.com/ Sal Romano

“Yakuza 1&2 HD Edition, initially launched on PlayStation 3 in Japan last year, is coming to Wii U, Sega announced during today’s Japanese Nintendo Direct.”

PrinceHeir

can we get the PS3 version on US please!!!!

just sub it and your good to go!!

Marco Tinè

I guess we all can forget any version of Yakuza 1&2 HD coming to the West, now that Nintendo is involved. Remember what happened to Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen. And I thought it couldn’t get any worse than the missing Ryu ga Gotoku 5 localisation…

http://insanechronos.tumblr.com/ InsaneChronos

Why is that? Nintendo is not involved with this. The publusher of Yakuza 1&2 HD is still Sega.

Pyrofrost

Nintendo is not involved; and if anything, this will only make localization more likely.

Marco Tinè

I respectfully disagree. Nintendo’s platforms have always been painful for third party developers, and I don’t see the benefit of bringing such a product – though translated – far from the hands of its core audience. If there’s someone who’s more likely to buy a Yakuza game in the West, that’s probably not a Nintendo customer.

Pyrofrost

It’s cool to disagree, and you stated your PoV in a cordial manner, thank you. However, there are a few things I feel that you have failed to take into account.

1. The Wii-U needs more games.

2. Nintendo is trying to get out from under the “just for kids” label.

3. Yakuza/Ryu ga Gotoku is a console selling franchise, both in Japan and in the West.

Marco Tinè

No problem, I think that’s the way it should be done. Sometimes I might seem arrogant or too emotional while expressing my opinions, but believe me, It’s just either my poor grasp of english or lack of time to refine the posts. Pity the space is getting so narrow, there were points well worth digging on a little more.

I understand what Nintendo is trying to do for WiiU. I’d do the same in such a situation. But SEGA and Nintendo could be setting up some sort of business aimed at gathering high returns from sizeable investments in a zero risk scenario: this can only happen in Japan, and the Ryu ga Gotoku series would fit this plan perfectly.

In the West there’s certainly a dedicated fanbase, but it’s relatively small: most people still thinks RGG is some sort of japanese GTA knockoff, that’s why it doesn’t make spectacular sales overseas. Oh, and there’s the lack of advertisement too, which is another key area where Nintendo and SEGA are comparably lacking.

I hope I’m able to convey that there’s no hate for Nintendo or the WiiU in my feelings. I’m just genuinely worried about the RGG series becoming a japanese only affair, and the Yakuza 1&2 HD porting looks like a step in that direction to me. Facetiously, I can’t see Nintendo coming our way and say: “look, we’re going to bring it to the West for you!”, I mean, I’d be really surprised if they did.

Pyrofrost

LMAO@ the “betrayal” posts all over the internet.
This is SE releasing FF on a non-Sony platform all over again xD

http://insanechronos.tumblr.com/ InsaneChronos

LMAO @ the “Yakuza 6 on the Wii U” posts all over the Internet.

Pyrofrost

I just find the double standard funny.
If something is on a Sony platform, people are happy. If something is on non-Sony platform, people start port begging or screaming about betrayal. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

People say they want core games on Nintendo; and when Nintendo get’s them, people do nothing but bitch. (ie: Bayo 2 and Madworld)

http://insanechronos.tumblr.com/ InsaneChronos

This works only for Sony platforms? If no, then what is the point for you to complain about this double standards? Do you remember the Rayman Legends incident?

Pyrofrost

I’m not complaining, i just find it completely silly. I find the people completely silly.

I also see this occurring far more often with Sony fans than I do with anyone else. (Though this issue is not exclusive to Sony fans).
Mainly because many news sites don’t implement the much needed “no port/platform begging rule” and enforce it.

Umm… Okay. So? I find silly many things. and not only in the gaming industry.

Pyrofrost

I don’t want to listen to what exactly?

I actually enjoy seeing it. It gives me something to laugh at. Just because I find it ridiculous, and just because I find it silly…doesn’t mean I’m not entertained.

If you don’t like what I’m saying, you are free to agree to disagree with me. As this discussion is going nowhere.

http://insanechronos.tumblr.com/ InsaneChronos

Do you like how Nintendo fanboys reacted to the Rayman Legens incident? It was glorious. Posts about betrayal, tears, and other stuff. It was funny, so I can understand you ;)

Prodigy-X

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How can they back stab Sony like this. Sony PlayStation was the only company that accepted Yakuza when Nintendo & MS didn’t.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Locksus

Well, it’s not like it won’t on PS3 anymore.
How exactly is this going to affect you?

Prodigy-X

Because we have yet to see this and Yakuza 5 in the U.S.

DrForbidden

The WiiU port is also for Japan only, so it makes no difference to you either way.

As for Yakuza 5, localised games in the franchise always release one year after the Japanese release. Wait until December before you start whining.

Pyrofrost

Had to do it. xD

rockman29

It’s only in Japan, so……….. useless. They already have a PS3 version.

bloodiOS

Sega, Sega, Sega… What is this stupidity? How exactly is bringing this collection to a struggling console suppose to bring in profit? This isn’t like bringing a game that doesn’t sell on the Vita to the 3DS in hope that it’ll sell better. No, this is the complete opposite and is downright stupid. Instead of the Wii U, why not bring it to the Xbox 360 and at least make it easier to profit when you decide to localize it?

Pyrofrost

So this choice is like porting something from the 3DS to the Vita? :p

bloodiOS

Nah, it’s more like a Western 3DS game being ported to the PSP. Vita would’ve been a relevant example a while back but, it’s been doing better as of late.

Pyrofrost

I was just teasing man :3

The thing with this is that the Wii-U needs games. The Yakuza/Ryu ga Gotoku series is a console seller in Japan and North America.

There isn’t a problem of profit here, Sega has already made profit on these two games hand-over-fist with the PS2 and PS3 releases. Anything else is icing on the cake.

The problem here is, pretty much everyone who wants this in Japan has it on PS2 and PS3. I feel like the ship for success here has sailed, unless they are planning this one for international release.
If they release it West, you will not only see this port be successful, but you will see a surge in Wii-U sales.
Yakuza 1 and 2 were release in limited quantities on PS2; and we don’t have this PS3 collection. A localization of this would be big for Nintendo.

bloodiOS

That’s what I found strange though. They released the collection for the PS3 in Japan, which is currently the hottest home console over there, and that has already been quite sometimes already, surely those who are interested would’ve bought it already. So why choose now to release it on a struggling home console?

It might have been okay if both versions were to be released at the same time but they only decided to release the Wii U version NOW after all this time. If they really have the intention for localization, the Xbox 360 would’ve been a MUCH better choice than the Wii U (which is struggling both inside and outside Japan.)

Unless Nintendo is financially backing Sega behind-the-scene, I’m not really sure if this move really makes any sense. Not that Sega has been making any sense to me, as of late.

Well, it might be a strange move from Sega, but it is good for Nintendo so perhaps I really shouldn’t be so pissed off about this… but it’s getting late into the year I’ve yet to hear anything regarding Yakuza 5‘s localization. Even the optimistic me from back then is starting to feel like I’m sitting on a burning stove right now. Anything that is coming out of Sega right now that isn’t the localization of Yakuza 5 or HD-remastering of Valkyria Chronicles series or Phantasy Star Online 2‘s localization for the Vita is more than likely to lit a few short fuses…

Valkyria Chronicles games for example, really should all be remastered and released not only on PS3 but also on Xbox 360 and Wii U so more folks can enjoy those wonderful but overlooked gems.

Pyrofrost

It most likely has to do with an agreement between Sega and Nintendo. Ya have to keep in mind, Yakuza is a franchise that will push consoles. It’s huge both in Japan and in the West.
Even on the Wii-U, if this comes West, it will mean console sales…which is what the Wii-U needs. Hell, it will still get sales and push consoles there, the numbers just won’t be balls-busting.
I doubt Nintendo is financially backing Sega or anything else so grand. Most likely, Nintendo just went to SEGA and paid for the right to have it on their console, book closed. Remember, Nintendo is also looking to get out from under the “just for kids” label.

About Yakuza 5, if they plan to localize it, that announcement will likely come at E3 or TGS like the previous games. I can tell you (speaking as a person who has played and beaten Yakuza 5), this game is far bigger than the previous. The localization process on this will be substantially longer. If it comes West, it won’t be here before March next year.

$18114340

Someone explain to me how this isn’t good news.

Claude

It’s devastating for Sony fanboys. Yakuza has always been exclusive to Sony platforms, so this is really just the first cracks in the foundation. On it’s own, a port of the HD collection isn’t that big of a deal, it’s really the implications that Nagoshi and Sega have no qualms with putting the franchise on another platform that scares them. In one day we’ve gone from Yakuza being Sony exclusive to the possibility that the next game could also come to Wii U, or even be an exclusive if Nintendo plays their cards right.

But personally, I don’t think this is going to amount to much of anything.

Awnye

Really this isn’t a big deal AT ALL. Hell, this is even a little more encouragement for me to buy a Wii U (will get around to that eventually.) I’m not worried about Ryu Ga Gotoku’s exclusivity to Playstation. If there’s one thing Nagoshi & the RGG studio have shown, they are innovators and only want to push their games one step ahead of current tech. Every single game they’ve pushed out has been an improvement from the last. And that’s saying something in this industry. So even if they did make a AAA title for the Wii U, I bet your balls it’s be awesome.

But yeah, the man himself did say he wanted the next RGG title on the PS4 anyway. So I wouldn’t worry.

Frankiedf

Devastating? Really? The port of a port of games from two generations ago? I’m a Yakuza and playstation fan and I couldn’t care less about this. I just want more yakuza.

http://www.psvitadirect.com/ Kurisu Makise

If anything maybe it’ll be localized in the west now xD

Frankiedf

Unfortunately, I doubt it. If they wouldn’t localize the ps3 collection (or 5) with the much larger install base, I doubt they would bother for the wiiu.

http://www.psvitadirect.com/ Kurisu Makise

Considering we’re talking about SEGA, that’s pretty sound (depressing) logic. However, the hope is that with two platforms to release 1 and 2 on, even if the WiiU version has a bit more translation work to do, that they’d consider it at least. Most of the base work is done from the old versions is done at least.

Frankiedf

Two platforms just makes the localization more expensive for them. It wouldn’t improve their situation any.

http://www.psvitadirect.com/ Kurisu Makise

The expense (royalty fee/disc manufacturing) is hoped to be mitigated by increase in target audience (theoretically). And if you can theoretically increase the amount of sales, that (should) improve the situation. However, I understand there’s still a lot more to it than that.

Claude

I just call the tears how I see them. “Devastating” might be slightly hyperbolic, but there’s definitely some bitterness over this announcement. Actually, devastating is the perfect word, because only a fanboy would be devastated over this announcement.

Strangely enough, the SONIC announcement is drawing much more vitriol. Now that one I don’t even understand.

DrForbidden

In fanboy-land, it’s not good news, I suppose. I can see fans being pissed if the franchise is now Nintendo-exclusive, but this does not seem to be the case here.

zhenyaivan

Wonder how the JP Sony Fanboys feel about this xD

ddsfan2

I don’t really care either way, as people who wouldn’t otherwise experience the franchise (or those simply unaware of it) will get the chance to play it. So in that sense, everyone wins.

However, I do want to play Yakuza 5 in English, and preferably the remakes of the first two games in English as well.

If the Wii U gets English versions of those games, and the PS3 doesn’t get English versions, then I will be rather bitter. This series is part of the reason why the PS3 really grew on me, and I will feel ripped off. (of course, there is no guarantee that Yakuza 5 will even get ported to the Wii U, especially if Sony has some kind of agreement with Sega, which might be the case)

The more that I think about it, Sega is a truly underrated game developer, especially as a first party console maker. I’d take their games over any of the other console makers, (and I say this as someone who never owned a Sega console, in spite of seeing appealing games on the Saturn back in the day) because they are willing to experiment, fill in genres that they are missing, and actually fund in house development consistently. (I like SCEJ / Studio Japan for the same reasons, but their output isn’t as prolific as Sega…) If they continue to make new franchises of the caliber of Valkyria Chronicles or Yakuza, count me in. I will probably buy whichever console they make their games for in the future, but if I have to buy a system with not very many other games that I care about, then I will be hesitant.

I will say, well played, Nintendo, well played.

Daniel Mc’Conville

I want this game Yakuza 1 2 HD on Wii U in Europe! EUROPE! EUROPE! EUROPE! EUROPE! EUROPE! EUROPE! BUT, we’ll just wait until E3. And Sega will announce Yakuza 1 2 HD first in Japan then straight to the Western world.

EspadaKiller

This would be a sign of future Yakuza games might be appearing on the Wii U platform? I wonder how much Nintendo moneyhatted Sega? Kinda weird for only the HD re-mastered version to appear on the Wii U though. Sony might still have some control over Yakuza 3, 4 and 5. Not sure about 6….

Pyrofrost

Next up…..Persona 5 on the Wii-U :p

http://insanechronos.tumblr.com/ InsaneChronos

Persona 5 on the WiiU is more acceptable than Persona 5 on the 3DS.

bloodiOS

Yeah, we’ve been waiting this long for it, so it better be released for home console(s?)

Budgiecat

beyond stupid

http://lukalovesgames.blogspot.de/ Alkaid

That’s kinda sad, I still wanted to play those. Don’t have the money for a Wii U though. Do we still get them on PSN or disk or something? I mean I have the PS2 versions here, but… … ah whatever. who needs to see Kiriyu cristal clear anyway. *sigh*

bloodiOS

Well if you don’t mind the language barrier, you can import the PS3 version of the collection, which was released in Japan last November.

http://lukalovesgames.blogspot.de/ Alkaid

true but that would make the nice mahjong tutorial pointless. Ahh it would be so nice if game companies would consider not just one person or the “green”, but everyone. xD